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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>October 29, 2014<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Memo To: Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>From: Parnell Diggs, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Positive Note 1472<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dear Fellow Federationists:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I begin this Positive Note with an announcement from the President of the National Federation of the Blind, Mr. Mark Riccobono. “We have had a number of requests for state affiliate banners from local chapters. We will be ordering quantities of banners with the affiliate logos on them for purchase by the chapters. Please forward this message along to all of the chapter presidents.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If any chapter would like to have an affiliate banner to display (or your affiliate would like a spare banner), email sshaffer@nfb.org with the contact person's name, state, number of banners requested, and shipping address. Requests for banners must be received by Monday, November 3, to take advantage of the quantity pricing. The cost for each banner is expected to be in the range of $30-$40, plus shipping.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>David Houck has indicated that we still have a great number of $1 bus tickets at the State Office which have not been sold. One of them may be the winning ticket, which could earn one lucky person $600 for selling and buying the winning bus ticket at the drawing during the Statewide Seminar on January 31.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Remember to sell your tickets at church, work, when you are out and about at social gatherings, etc. Most people have a dollar to give for a good cause. The bus ticket proceeds, for those who are new to the organization, are used to charter transportation to the National Convention each year.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have an announcement from the President of our Computer Science and Technology Division, Mr. Steve Cook. Here is what he says. “In 2013, the Computer Science & Technology Division (CSTD) provided a free class for users of iDevices with a panel discussion! Due to a great turn out and positive feedback, we are having it again in 2014.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The CSTD will have a panel discussion for iDevices on Saturday, November 1, 2014 at the Federation Center of the Blind at 119 S Kilbourne Rd., Columbia, SC 29205, from 10:00 to 4:00. With the recent release of IOS version 8, there are some changes in the operating system that will be demonstrated as well. We are requesting a $5 donation in order to purchase lunch.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are going to order pizza for everyone and drinks will be provided. To suggest an app you would like to know more about, or sign up for the class, call Steve Cook at (803) 254-0222. Be sure to leave a message or Email at cookcafe@sc.rr.com. “<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I hope you are planning to vote on Tuesday, November 4. Linda Dizzley, President of our Lee County Chapter, and a new member of the State Board, invited me to a political rally at her church on Tuesday evening, which I was delighted to attend, and I am so appreciative of her reaching out to make sure I was aware of it. We have a short time to go, and the campaign is peaking at exactly the right moment.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic which defines you or your future. Every day, we raise expectations of blind people because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want: blindness is not what holds you back. Joining me for comments in this Positive Note is the President Emeritus of the NFB of SC. Here is Dr. Capps.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We are pleased that Kay Bradley, a leader in the Inman Lions Club, has joined the Advisory Board of RBRCCB. She joins Margaret Douglass of the Clemson Lions Club who joined the Advisory Board last week. We are delighted to have both of these outstanding ladies on our distinguished Advisory Board. Last week, Sam’s Club volunteers cleaned out brush behind the Conference Center, the Ellenburg Lodge and by the path behind the pond. They also installed a new screen door for the Resident Manager’s apartment. Recently we spoke about the Dr. Samuel Miller Lawton Memorial Hall at RBRCCB which is nearly 100 years old. In recent months we have concentrated on making needed repairs on the four overnight facilities. However, while exterior painting of Lawton Hall and outside repairs were done by Faith Baptist Church in Norris, no action was taken on the interior of Lawton Hall. Recently we sent material on Rocky Bottom to some 200 churches in Pickens County. These materials encouraged the churches to rent the RBRCCB facilities which provide needed revenues to cover the extensive costs of operating this unique service to the blind. A contractor in Columbia who is our friend has agreed to provide all of his labor without charge making some interior repairs to Lawton Hall. This probably would involve replacing all of the fixtures in the two rest rooms which will be the greatest cost in making these improvements. We need to replace the carpet and other miscellaneous items which will not cost nearly as much. Chapters, divisions and individuals may wish to contribute to the Lawton Memorial Hall improvements by making checks payable to RBRCCB and containing information that it is for Lawton Hall. The Rock Hill Chapter is planning a week’s stay at RBRCCB very soon. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> This is the last Positive Note you will receive before next week’s November 4 elections. We certainly want to be very diligent throughout the state in getting out the vote for our state President Parnell Diggs in his race for Attorney General. Parnell deserves our active support and we should encourage members, friends and others to also provide support. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are sorry to report the death of Helen Ellenburg -93, on Tuesday morning, October 28. She was the wife of our distinguished Advisory Board member Ralph M. Ellenburg, Sr. and the mother of our Resident Manager Gwen Ellenburg. Mrs. Ellenburg had been seriously ill for some time. Because Mr. & Mrs. Ellenburg were associated with Rocky Bottom for some 35 years, we encourage living memorial gifts for RBRCCB. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We are also sorry to report the death of Frances Crawford who was the sister of Dr. Fred L. Crawford. Ms. Crawford passed away on October 23. She was a graduate of the SC School for the Blind 72 years ago in 1942. She was one of three members in her graduation class, the two others being Marshall Tucker and the late Dr. Oliver Lowne. Ms. Crawford was 90 years old. Over the years Ms. Crawford worked for the Pennsylvania state agency for the blind where she had a highly successful career. While I was several grades behind Ms. Crawford at SCSDB, I presently remember her as being a very nice and highly intelligent person.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: “A grandmother pretends she doesn't know who you are on Halloween.” ~Erma Bombeck. or Halloween Trick or Treat: “Eat, drink and be scary.”<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>